diff --git a/src/util/iocLogServer.c b/src/util/iocLogServer.c
index c2d190699..3040c9cc8 100644
--- a/src/util/iocLogServer.c
+++ b/src/util/iocLogServer.c
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ static int seekLatestLine (struct ioc_log_server *pserver)
             }
         }
         else {
-            char c = fgetc (pserver->poutfile);
+            int c = fgetc (pserver->poutfile);
  
             /*
              * bypass the line if it does not match the expected format